Multi-use Input Contacts for Semiconductor Device Configuration

Solution Overview

Problem

Packaged semiconductor devices often require multiple input pins to set various operating parameters, leading to increased size, cost, and complexity, while also desiring reduced pin count and miniaturization for high performance and functionality.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a packaged semiconductor device with multi-use input contacts that utilize a comparator and setting elements to compare input voltages, allowing selection of high, medium, and low input voltages and corresponding mode signals using only two input contacts, thereby reducing the number of pins required to set multiple operating parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple input pins are used to set various operating parameters, then the device can configure multiple operating parameters, but the device size, cost, and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of operating parameters that can be configuredVSAvoidnumber of input pins

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes two input contacts serve multiple functions by comparing their voltage levels to determine three distinct operating modes. Instead of requiring separate pins for each parameter, the same two inputs are used to encode multiple configuration states through voltage comparison, achieving multi-functionality with minimal pins.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the interpretation of input contact voltages from simple digital logic levels to analog voltage levels that can be compared. By treating the input voltages as continuous parameters rather than binary states, the system can derive multiple operating modes from the relative voltage magnitudes, effectively increasing adaptability without adding pins.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple input pins are used to set various operating parameters, then the device can configure multiple operating parameters, but the device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of operating parameters that can be configuredVSAvoiddevice package size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes two input contacts serve multiple functions by comparing their voltage levels to determine three distinct operating modes. Instead of requiring separate pins for each parameter, the same two inputs are used to encode multiple configuration states through voltage comparison, achieving multi-functionality with minimal pins.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple input pins are used to set various operating parameters, then the device can configure multiple operating parameters, but the cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of operating parameters that can be configuredVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes two input contacts serve multiple functions by comparing their voltage levels to determine three distinct operating modes. Instead of requiring separate pins for each parameter, the same two inputs are used to encode multiple configuration states through voltage comparison, achieving multi-functionality with minimal pins.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables the setting of multiple operating parameters using fewer input contacts, reducing device size and cost while maintaining high performance and functionality, allowing end-users to configure modes without modifying the device, and supporting various operational states.

Implementation Method 1

one or more comparing elements configured to compare the first input voltage with the second input voltage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVoltage comparison:

Data Source

PatentUS10446482B2Packaged semiconductor devices with multi-use input contacts and related methods

Publication Date: 2019.10.15 SEMICON COMPONENTS IND LLC

AI summary

A semiconductor device includes a first contact receiving a first voltage, a second contact receiving a second voltage, one or more comparing elements comparing the first and second voltages, and one or more setting elements setting one or more parameters of the device in response to a comparison of the first and second voltages. When the first voltage is greater than the second voltage the setting element selects the first voltage as a high voltage, the second voltage as a low voltage, and sets a mode signal to a first value. When the second voltage is greater than the first voltage the setting element selects the first voltage as the low voltage, the second voltage as the high voltage, and sets the mode signal to a second value. The first and second values alter a condition of an electronic component coupled with the device between a first and second state.